Quote:
Originally Posted by Monahan For Mayor
People dubbing Backlund our #1 centre are hilarious. Who is Sean Monahan ? Only the dude with 10 more goals in 100+ less games. If you seriously think Backlund is better than Monahan your out to lunch. Backlund is a very good player, but he is having a career year. Sean Monahan who has struggled enormously this season is 2 points behind Monahan. Backlund has also had the enjoyment of playing healthy all season and 2 REAL line mates.
I agree that Backlund is better this year, but it's not ever going to happen again IMO. I also wouldn't be surprised in Monahan passes him in the points department soon. Backlund is better defensively, but he's also what 5 years older ? Monahan is still our # 1 centre, and Backlund is still a good middle 6 centre.
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Backlund is a better all-around centre
right now. Which means he's the Flames' #1 centre
right now.
There's more to hockey than offence. Top teams are built around two-way centres. I'd go as far as to say a team needs an elite
two-way centre to win the Cup. Bergeron. Kopitar. Toews. Crosby. I'm not saying Backlund is elite. But Monahan isn't either, when you look at play with the puck
and without it.
I used to think Backlund was out of here when his contract comes up. But now I think there will be a gaping hole in the Flames lineup without him. With his lack of speed and intensity, I have my doubts Monahan will ever be more than average defensively. And it's anyone's guess what Bennett will end up being.
Seeing what the Flames do with Backlund will tell us what they think of Bennett long-term - if they think he will develop into a top-six two-way centre. And it'll be a lot tougher call than a lot of people think.